Help! My 12 yr old is using tampons like its going out of style! What is normal usage? And how do I curb her habit of using 12-15 A DAY?

Elizabeth - posted on 07/10/2012

Having an 11 almost 12 year old who has her period, I made a decision. Too many things are associated with excessive tampon usage. PID, infections, normal vaginal PH gone wrong etc. I feel like she shouldn't wear them and I told her so. For swimming they are essential, and required, so tampons are reserved for then. So far, she has opted to just sit in the sun during that time instead of getting in the water. She has tampons but has yet to use a one.

Mona - posted on 07/09/2012

My daughter had a phase where she would used lots of em daily, after having a talk with my gyno, she said it could be because it feels good

Jenn - posted on 05/21/2012

In all reality, a tampon can stay in for 8 hours max. I would suggest that you help her figure out a time frame, say change it every 2-3 hours if she needs to. Some flows are heavier than others so she might need to change more often than others. If she's also worried about it leaking, she can wear a liner too. That way, if she does leave it in and it leaks, she's covered. Pads are also good, but if she's grossed out by the blood, might end up doing the same thing and changing them the second she feels like there's blood. I agree with Joy though, she might be having trouble getting the tampons in properly and I'm sure we all know how that feels... ouch. Get her the plastic applicators since they slide in easier.

Jeannine - posted on 05/21/2012

Thank you! I am going to discuss this with her before she starts again... Shes getting better, but is still excessive.

Madelyn - posted on 05/20/2012

You should sit down with her and discuss her cycles...start from the beginning, ask her how heavy her flow is, why she feels as though she needs to use them that often, and take it from that point. If she is having heavy cycles she may have a problem which needs to be addressed by a physician.

Biological or Step/ should not make a difference when it comes to necessary discussions such as this. I and my daughters have had several discussions regarding pads-vs-tampons... I've told them, it is alright for use of tampons during the day, change it every 4-6 hours, more frequently if needed but, never sleep with them. Use a pad at bedtime, in order to be safe.

Iris: no offense to you however, I think unless you are a physician (OB/GYN) best to stop reading medical journals and research papers for awhile.- cannot always believe what you readl.

Joyce - posted on 01/28/2012

If comfort is an issue, there are the multi-packs you can buy. That would give her the opportunity to kinda try out the different ones to figure out what works best for her. In the end, might save some money that way too.

Helen - posted on 01/23/2012

I agree with joy, maybe the strength is to strong for her and she is having a hard time finding comfort.... maybe a lower strength....they have lites, regular and so forth...that could be the issue :)

Jeannine - posted on 01/20/2012

good thought joy! iI will talk to her and see if there is discomfort. iI think she is finding that pattern that works fotr her, n she will get it. its just SO EXPENSIVE! lol

Joy - posted on 01/20/2012

She probably is struggling to get them in comfortably and is pulling them out and starting over. Perhaps you need to ask her if they are working for her okay and if she is having any trouble - as it is normal for young girls to have trouble with them

Iris - posted on 12/25/2011

Only 65% of the fluids absorbed by tampons is blood. The remaining 35% of fluids are natural and necessary vaginal secretions. The absorption of these fluids can lead to vaginal dryness, peeling and ulcerating of the vagina and cervix, as studies by various researchers have shown. In one particular study of seventeen young women throughout their menstrual cycle, entitled Study of the Vaginal Mucous Membrane Following Tampon Utilization, vaginal dryness was noted in 89% of cases, peeling in 47% and cellular destruction affecting all layers of the vaginal covering was noted in all cases.

It has been estimated that up to twenty percent of tampon users may suffer from recurrent vaginal and cervical ulcers. This can lead to abnormal discharges, urinary problems and pain during sexual intercourse. Although not entirely clear, it seems that such ulcers are due to the pressure of tampons against the vaginal walls, over-drying of the vagina and decreased calcium levels.

Despite what marketers of most commercial tampons would have young women believe, tampons do actually stretch and sometimes destroy the hymen. This is why young women will often feel sharp pains as they insert and remove their first tampons.

Most tampons found on supermarket shelves are inserted into the vagina with applicators. Paper applicators have been reported to scratch the vaginal walls, while arterial lacerations have resulted from use of plastic applicators.

Deodorants and perfumes found in some tampons can disrupt the microbial balance in the vagina and can lead to irritation and allergic reactions. Fibers from rayon tampons have also been known to embed themselves in the walls of the vagina, leading to inflammation and increasing the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. Tampons can also lead to abdominal cramping, urinary tract infections and yeast infections.

btw this isn't even the most recent from obgyn information they have found out the increase in infections and damage done to the vagina is worse then they originally thought and they are urging teens to not use tampons.

Sherri - posted on 12/23/2011

That is not true Iris. Tampons are actually a necessity especially with girls who compete in gymnastics and swimming and are actually 100% okay'd by GYN's for them.

Also there is nothing wrong with the hymen of girls being broken naturally by sports such as horseback riding, gymnastics etc. which is far more likely to happen then it ever is with a tampon.

Also where in heavens name did you hear you have to wait to use one until your sexually active. That is such extremely incorrect information. Do you know how many woman are virgins till they are adults or get married. So they can't use a tampon because they haven't had sex??

Iris - posted on 12/23/2011

First of all you do not give a girl tampons when they start their period it brakes their hymen! Witch allows them to start getting infections and be exposed to other things very easily you only give them pads.. tampons are for someone who is sexually active..

Jeannine - posted on 12/03/2011

Ya, I decided to get her pads, which she hates, and told her im not buying more than the one pack a month. She is a step so no matter what I say, i'm the devil, n she knows better than me. Not sure how things will pan out when she runs out, but its over for now. Shewwww! O.o

Catherine - posted on 12/03/2011

Don't buy them anymore....scold her each time---she uses or gets them elsewhere.

Jodi - posted on 12/01/2011

Jeannine, have you had a talk to her about why? Maybe she is bleeding particularly heavily. I have days where I bleed SO heavily that I can't keep up with it - I can bleed as heavily as I did when I had my 13 week miscarriage. Yes, it is that bad. When I was a teen, I used to soak a tampon AND a pad before first recess at school and was constantly terrified that I'd have the big red patch on the back of my school dress, so I changed at EVERY opportunity. It was horrid.



It is definitely worth having an open chat with her about it. And keep an open mind. She may feel she has a valid reason.

Sherri - posted on 11/29/2011

Not sure who would take there 12yr old to a gyno to explain proper usage that seems a little over the top.

I think you need to explain what is appropriate, when to change, when there is no need etc, although I have to say I can not stand peeing without changing my tampon because if not it gets wet and makes my underwear smell of pee. So I change it as often as I pee. I usually go through a 40pk of tampons in 5 days. So usually 6-7 a day.

Debb - posted on 11/29/2011

My best friend's daughter is 11 and recently started her period. She is going through her 'products' like crazy because she's grossed out about it all. Pretty much, anytime she feels it, she changes everything, including undergarments. I think as long as she's not doing herself any harm, let her figure out what she's comfortable with on her own.

Tamara - posted on 11/29/2011

maybe take her to a gyno and have them explain the proper usage of them that way it don't seem like you are being a nagging mom and she may feel more comfortable asking some questions while she is there.